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Monday, October 19, 2015

Saptami

Bodhon was on Sashti. Durga has come home.



Kola Bou  or Nabapatrika is given a pre-dawn bath. This Kola Bou will be placed next to Ganesha as Ganesha's wife, clad in a white sari with red border.
 This is an ancient ritual of worshiping nine types of plants. Nine plants collectively signify Navadurga Goddesses, nine aspects of Goddess Durga. Nabapatrika being an important part of Durga Puja, is worshipped during Bodhon.


In the early hours of Saptami,some creepers of white "aparajita" plant  along with  nine bunches of yellow threads are used to tie the Nabapatrika. It is then bathed.All the nine Goddesses representing nabapatrika are bathed with waters from 8 different holy places. This bathing ritual is accompanied with varied mantras and diverse musical instruments for different goddesses.



Then the Prana pratisha ritual is performed to bring the clay idol of Durga to life. The aim of this ritual to awaken the spirit of Durga as a worrier Goddess. From the day of Saptami Mahisasurmardini Durga starts her battle against the manifestation of all evils in the shape of Mahisasura to save us.

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